Abhishek Sharma produced a remarkable batting performance as India defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the third T20 International in Wellington on October 27, 2026. The left-handed opener scored 113 runs from just 38 deliveries, helping India chase a target of 199 in only 13.2 overs.
His innings featured nine fours and 11 sixes, while his century came off just 35 balls. The emphatic victory gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, with two matches still to play.
The match also witnessed several team and individual records, as India's aggressive start put the hosts under immediate pressure.
Abhishek Sharma Reaches His 11th T20 Century
The century took Abhishek's total number of hundreds in T20 cricket to 11, moving him ahead of Virat Kohli, who has scored 10 in the format. He became the third-highest century-maker in men's T20 cricket, behind Chris Gayle with 22 and Babar Azam with 13.
He also extended his record as the Indian batter with the most T20I centuries, reaching four. Among left-handed batters in men's T20 internationals, he moved ahead of players who had previously recorded three centuries each.
His 35-ball hundred was also the fastest T20I century against New Zealand, surpassing Ishan Kishan's earlier mark of 42 deliveries. It became the fastest T20I century scored in New Zealand as well, going past Kusal Perera's 44-ball effort in Nelson in 2025.
India Set a New Powerplay Benchmark
India's opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi transformed the chase during the first six overs. The duo scored 118 runs without losing a wicket in the Powerplay, establishing a new record in men's T20 internationals.
The previous highest Powerplay total was 116 without loss, scored by Romania against Serbia in 2021.
India also reached 50 runs in just 2.2 overs, matching the fastest team half-century record. Papua New Guinea and Romania had previously achieved the same milestone in that number of overs.
The team reached 100 in only five overs, setting a new benchmark for the fastest team century in men's T20Is. Romania had previously held the record after reaching the milestone in 5.2 overs.
Record-Breaking Opening Partnership
Abhishek and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 133 runs for the first wicket in just 7.1 overs. Sooryavanshi contributed 45 from 19 deliveries, including four boundaries and four sixes.
Their partnership recorded a run rate of 18.13, the highest for a 100-run partnership in men's T20 internationals. It surpassed the previous mark of 16.08 set by England's Jos Buttler and Phil Salt against South Africa in 2025.
Abhishek's rapid scoring also strengthened his position among the format's most explosive batters. He extended his record for the most T20I half-centuries scored in 20 balls or fewer to nine.
India Complete a Remarkable 199-Run Chase
New Zealand had posted 198 for three in their 20 overs, with Daryl Mitchell scoring an unbeaten 89 from 52 balls. Finn Allen contributed 40, while Bevon Jacobs remained unbeaten on 39.
India reached 199 for four in 13.2 overs, winning by six wickets with 40 balls remaining. The chase became one of the quickest successful pursuits of a target above 190 in men's T20 internationals.
Only Estonia's chase of 192 against Cyprus in 2024, completed with 42 balls remaining, stands ahead of India's effort in the relevant record list.
India Take Control of the Five-Match Series
The Wellington victory secured India's third consecutive win and gave the visitors an unassailable advantage in the series. Abhishek was named Player of the Match for his outstanding innings.
With two fixtures remaining, the focus will now turn to whether India can maintain its batting momentum and complete a clean sweep against New Zealand. Abhishek's performance has already made the third T20I one of the most memorable matches of the tour.
